Going Shopping ¦ Doing the Washing

A family car trip to the supermarket and a chaotic attack on the family wash are illustrated in these two deceptively simple picture books. But each offers so much more than the obvious: who is telling the story? is mum talking aloud or are the words her inner thoughts and instructions to herself when tackling the washing? the portrayal of mum as a (seemingly) uncomplaining household drudge, are just some of the talking points which can be explored though of course small children can enjoy both books as straightforward accounts of familiar domestic incidents. Have copies in any classroom where children are becoming readers and just listen to their responses; I've discovered a lot this way.